Research Methods in Criminology

Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Criminology
Course Code
CRIM 2254
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
35
Method Of Instruction
Lecture
Hybrid
Typically Offered
To be determined
Campus
Online

Overview

Course Description
This is an introductory course in research methodology in Criminology and the Social Sciences. Topics addressed include: origin of research questions; qualitative and quantitative approaches; deductive and inductive approaches including theory, hypothesis testing and causality; sampling; and ethical issues in research. Using an inter-disciplinary approach, course materials will focus on research in criminology and criminal justice. Emphasis will be placed on data gathering techniques.
Course Content
  1. The social science research enterprise
  2. Research decisions and how they are made
  3. Qualitative and Quantitative  Methodologies
    • Inductive and deductive approaches
    • Theory, variables, hypotheses, causality
    • Operationalization
  4. Ethical issues in research
  5. Sampling
    • Purpose, function,
    • Probability & non-probability types
    • Reliability, validity and generalization issues
  6. Experimentation and Quasi-Experimentation
  7. Data Collection
    • Questionnaire design and administration
    • Interviewing techniques
    • Observation
    • Case Studies
    • Interactive and Internet Research techniques
  8. Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
    • Function and purposes
Methods Of Instruction

The course will employ a range of instructional techniques: lecture, class discussion, audio-visual materials, guest lectures, field observation, and term projects.

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on some of the following:

 

  1. Examinations
  2. Term Assignments
  3. Oral Quiz

 

An example of one possible evaluation scheme would be:

Midterm Exam 1  30%
Midterm Exam 2  30%
Term Assignments (3)  30%
Final Oral Quiz  10%
  100%
Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Describe and explain the nature and purpose of the social scientific research enterprise.

  2. Describe and explain the nature of research decisions facing social science researchers.

  3. Criticially assess the differences and similarities between quantitative and qualitative approaches as well as describe the general strengths and weaknesses of each.

  4. Critically assess contemporary ethical issues in conducting research on human subjects.

  5. Describe and explain sampling.

  6. Describe and explain the relevance of experimentation and quasi-experimentation.

  7. Describe and explain the relationship between theory, variables, hypotheses and causality.

  8. Describe and explain the strengths and weaknesses of such data gathering techniques as: questionnaire design and administration; case studies; interviewing; observation; unobtrusive and archival methods; and, Internet-based research techniques.

  9. Describe and explain the relationships between reliability, validity and generalizability.

  10. Describe and explain the purpose and function of descriptive and inferential statistics.
Textbook Materials

Texts will be updated periodically.  Typical examples are:

  • Bouma, G. & Carland, S. (2016). The Research Process, 6th Canadian Ed., Oxford University Press, Toronto.
  • Palys, T. & Atchison, C. (2014). Research Decisions: Quantitative & Qualitative Perspectives, 5th ed., Nelson, Toronto.
  • Maxfield, M. & Babbie, E. (2017). Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology, 8th ed., Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

CRIM 1150

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Requisite for

This course is not required for any other course.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

Institution Transfer Details Effective Dates
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO SOC 280 (3) 2013/01/01 to 2020/04/30
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU SOC 2XX (3) 2004/09/01 to -
Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) JIBC RESM 2100 (3) 2004/09/01 to -
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU CRIM 1208 (3) 2004/09/01 to -
Langara College (LANG) LANG CRIM 1220 (3) 2008/01/01 to -
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CRIM 220 (3), Q 2004/09/01 to -
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU CRIM 2209 (3), OL 2011/01/01 to 2016/08/31
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU CRIM 220 (3), OL 2004/09/01 to 2010/12/31
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU SOCI 2XXX (3) 2010/09/01 to -
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU SOCI 2XX (3) 2004/09/01 to 2010/08/31
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU HUMA 2XX (3) 2011/05/01 to -
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU SOCI 2XX (3) 2004/09/01 to 2011/04/30
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO SOCI 2nd (3) 2005/05/01 to -
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV SOCI 250 (3) or UBCV SOCI 2nd (3) 2004/09/01 to -
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC SOSC 2XX (3) 2004/09/01 to -
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV CRIM 220 (3) 2004/09/01 to -
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC SOCI 2XX (1.5) 2004/09/01 to -
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU CRIM 220 (3) 2004/09/01 to -

Course Offerings

Fall 2020

CRN
Days
Dates
Start Date
End Date
Instructor
Status
Location
32687
Tue
08-Sep-2020
- 07-Dec-2020
08-Sep-2020
07-Dec-2020
Greaves
Caroline
Full
Online
CRIM 2254 001 - See Legal Studies (LGST) for other university transferable law and legal system courses.


This course will include synchronous on-line activities. Students should plan to be available on-line at scheduled course times.
Max
Enrolled
Remaining
Waitlist
35
37
-2
0
Days
Building
Room
Time
Tue
12:30 - 15:20
CRN
Days
Dates
Start Date
End Date
Instructor
Status
Location
33743
Mon
08-Sep-2020
- 07-Dec-2020
08-Sep-2020
07-Dec-2020
Greaves
Caroline
Waitlist
Online
CRIM 2254 050 - See Legal Studies (LGST) for other university transferable law and legal system courses.

This course will include synchronous on-line activities. Students should plan to be available on-line at scheduled course times.
Max
Enrolled
Remaining
Waitlist
35
34
1
1
Days
Building
Room
Time
Mon
18:30 - 21:20